Composer
I come from a very eclectic musical background, therefore I find it important that what I compose reflects the musical variety that I have experienced. Compositionally speaking, I believe in high and low culture, acoustic and electronic, strictly composed and improvised, low fi and high fi, contemporary and folkloric, eastern and western, pop and avant grade, as well as tradition and transgression.
Selected Works:
Succubus for soprano and electronics (2020) 10'
Never The Earth Forever (2019) for tenor sax, percussion, and electronics, 9'
Recorded Ruins (2018) for bass clarinet, trombone, violin, cello, and piano with transducers, 12'
K. (2015) for bass clarinet, piano, violin, and viola, 8'
The Moon Is Drifting From The Earth, Don't Think About It (2016) for flute, clarinet, violin, viola, and cello, 7'
Turtles All The Way Up (2017) for violin, viola, cello, double bass, and electronics, 12'
List of Works (in reverse chronological order):
||: :|| for electronics and projections.
Performed by Brian Riordan
Premiered 06-14-2024 at New Music On The Point, VT.
Additional performances:
08-10-2024 at Green Beacon Gallery in Greensburg, PA.
08-18-2024 at Bantha Tea Bar in Pittsburgh, PA.
10-03-2024 at Brillobox in Pittsburgh, PA.
Additional presentations:
Presented by Paula Matthusen 06-27-2024 at SPLICE Institute, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI.
VOID 3 an alternate version of "VOID" for bass flute, bass clarinet, soprano, violin, cello, and electronics
To be performed by Kamraton, and Brian Riordan 09-03-2023 in Pittsburgh, PA
LOWERCASE for piano and electronics
Performed by Emmanuel Berrido - piano, Brian Riordan - Electronics
Premiered 06-12-2023 at New Music On The Point, VT.
Temple and Garden for three performers
Performed by How Things Are Made at The Mattress Factory in Pittsburgh, PA
Premiered 07-17-2022. Matt Aelmore - trumpet/percussion/water, David Bernabo - Percussion/Water, Brian Riordan - Electronics
Audio
Video
Slip for piano, cello, and electronics (2022)
performed by Peiyao Yu - piano, James Alexander - cello, and Brian Riordan - electronics
Premiered 06-06-2023 at New Music On The Point, VT.
Untitled for Shakuhachi and Electronics (2022)
Commissioned to be performed by Devon Osamu Tipp
Premier: TBD
000 for five performers and silent film (2020) 16'
Commissioned by Alia Musica and City of Asylum
Can be synced with the film "Ballet Méchanique" (1924) by Fernand Léger
Performed by Alia Musica: Brittany Trotter - flute/piccolo/bass flute, Ben Barson - bass clarinet/baritone saxophone, Federico Garcia-De Castro - piano, Simon Cummings - cello, Brian Riordan - modular synthesizer, signal processing.
Premier: 08-04-2020 at City of Asylum, Pittsburgh, PA (Virtual premier due to COVID-19)
Video
Succubus for soprano and electronics (2020) 10'
Commissioned and performed by Anna Elder
Virtual Premier: 06-21-2020 through Experimental Sound Studios in Chicago, IL. Hosted by Omaha Under the Radar
Video
Audio
Live Premier: 06-06-2020 at Re:sound 2020 for CUSP, at The BOP STOP in Cleveland, OH. (Postponed due to Covid-19)
Additional Performances:
04-15-2021, Oh My Ears Festival
SEAMUS, 04-24-2021
Cleveland Uncommon Sound Project, 06-03-2021
NMOP, 06-08-2021
SICPP, 06-25-2021
Splice, 07-02-2021
CIME-ICEM, 09-18-2021
Live Premier: 11-19-2021 at The Irma Freeman Center for the Arts in Pittsburgh, PA
MISE-EN_PLACE in NYC 05-13-2022
07-07-2022 at Scholes Street Studio, Brooklyn, NY.
03-01-2023 at The Terrarium, Brooklyn, NY.
06-24-2023 at New Music Gathering, Portland State University, Lincoln Hall
09-29-2023 at Scholes Street Studio, Brooklyn, NY.
01-16-2024 at Scholes Street Studio, Brooklyn, NY.
Dark Yoga for bass clarinet, percussion, and electronics. 60'
Commissioned by BLACK YO)))GA.
Performed by Joe Tomino - percussion, Kevin Sapp - bass clarinet, Brian Riordan - live processing, modular synth.
Premiered 03-07-2020 at BLACK YO)))GA. Pittsburgh, PA.
Elk Splat (2020)
Premiered 03-05-2020, Moxsonic, Warrensburg, MO.
Performed and composed in collaboration by Jake Sentgeorge - vocals, and Brian Riordan - live electronics
Audio
Climb, Sleep, Seen for trumpet, percussion, piano, and electronics (2020)
Commissioned to be premiered by SPLICE ensemble
Premier: 02-22-2020 at SPLICE Festival 2020. University of Miami in Ohio. Oxford, OH.
Eko. (2020) 60'
Commissioned and premiered by Eko Chamber Collective. Composed in collaboration with Herman Pearl, aka Soy Sos, - electronics, Brittany Trotter - flute, Anqwenique Kinsel - voice, Sadie Powers - bass, Paul Thompson - bass, and Brian Riordan - live processing
02-20-2020 at The Andy Warhol Museum. Pittsburgh, PA.
Brownshirts In The Hundred Acre Wood (2019) 16'
Premiered 11-16-2019, Electroacoustic Barn Dance, Jacksonville, FL.
Performed and composed in collaboration by ake Sentgeorge - vocals, and Brian Riordan - live electronics
Audio
Never The Earth Forever (2019) 9'
Premiered 06-25-2019, New Music On The Point, VT.
Performed by Erin Rodgers - tenor sax, Nick Fox - percussion, and Brian Riordan - live electronics
Video
Eventually Reality Settles In (2019) 6'
Winner of Alia Musica's Call for Scores 2019
Premiered by andPlay on 04-18-2019 in Pittsburgh, PA.
Maya Bennardo - violin, Hannah Levinson - viola
Audio
Additional performances:
by Desdemona 03-27-2020 in NYC. Postponed due to Covid-19
Book Burner (2018) for cello and electronics (one performer), 10'
Premier: 04-06-2019, Pittsburgh, PA.
Commissioned and performed by Stephen Marotto
Video
Additional Performances:
by Stephen Marotto
06-25-2019. Workshop performance at SPLICE 2019 at Western Michigan University. Kalamazoo, MI.
10-24-2019 at Village Vinyl & Hi-Fi in Brookline, MA.
02-13-2020 at UI Champaign-Urbana Smith Memorial Hall, IL.
02-17-2020 at Slate Arts and Performance, in Chicago, IL.
02-21-2020 at SPLICE Festival 2020. University of Miami in Ohio. Oxford, OH.
02-28-2020 at Spectrum in Brooklyn, NYC, NY.
03-07-2020 at Grant Recital Hall in Brown University, Providence, RI.
03-13-2020 SEAMUS 2020, Charlottesville, VA. Virtual Performance. In person performance postponed due to COVID-19
11-12-2020 Jordan Hall, New England Conservatory, Boston, MA. Virtual Performance
03-31-2022 SEAMUS in Western Michigan University, in Kalamazoo, MI.
02-16-2024 Roger and Phyllis Dancz Center for New Music, Hugh Hodgson School of Music, Athens, GA.
New 6 (2018) for soprano, clarinet, flute, violin, and cello, 2'
Premiered: 11-11-2018, St. Paul of The Cross Monastery, Pittsburgh, PA.
Commissioned by Kamraton as a miniature for a larger collaborative composition cycle called "Be New Too" with text by Gertrude Stein.
Performed by Kamraton: Anna Elder - soprano, Sarah Alice Steranka - flute, Emily Cook - bass clarinet, Jennifer Sternick - violin, Cecilia Orazi - cello
Additional Performance:
02-17-2019, Carnegie Library, Pittsburgh, PA.
Recorded Ruins (2018) for bass clarinet, trombone, violin, cello, and piano with transducers, 12'
Premier: 06-22-2018, New England Conservatory, Boston, MA.
Commissioned by Stephen Drury and The Callithumpian Consort.
Xenia Deviatkina-Loh - violin, Stephen Marotto - cello, Emmalie Tello - bass clarinet, Chris Moore - Trombone, Dorothy Chan - Piano and sound exciters, Jeffrey Means - conductor.
First prize winner of the 2018 Untwelve microtonal composition competition.
Audio
Additional Performances:
10-11-2018 at New England Conservatory, Boston, MA.
Performed by Callithumpian Consort
Lilit Hartunian - violin, Stephen Marotto - cello, Alexis Lanz - bass clarinet, Chris Moore - Trombone, Dorothy Chan - Piano and sound exciters, Steve Drury - Conductor
02-29-2020 by Nat 28 at Beyond: Microtonal Music Festival. Pittsburgh, PA
Suburban Camouflage for basson, trumpet, percussion, double bass, and electronics. 12'
Premier: 06-15-2018, New Music On The Point, VT.
Performed by Matthew Wildman - bassoon, Zachary Di Lello - trumpet, Colin McCall - Percussion, Kyle Grimm - double bass, Brian Riordan - Electronics
Audio
Frogs for flute, 3 bassoons, 5 basses, and speaker
text by Dyllin Wood
Premier: 06-13-2018, New Music On The Point, VT.
Performed by Jessie Nucho - flute, Brad Balliett, Ezra Gans, and Matthew Wildman - bassoons, Robert Black, Kyle Grimm, Laura Nygren, Evan Premo, Will Yager - basses, Hillary LaBonte - speaker
John Williams Told You To Silence Your Phone, Don't Listen To Him (2018) for two or more players
Musical game, published by Synzine on 04-16-2018: https://issuu.com/synzine/docs/synzine_april18_final
Premier: 06-08-2018, Third Life, Somerville, MA.
Additional Performances:
09-08-2018, Gaudeamus Muziekweek, Utrecht, NL.
05-07-2022, Avenue JP, Jamaica Plain, MA
06-21-2022, TBD, MA
Fleeting Of The Spirits (2017) for electric guitar. 2'
Commissioned by Aaron Meyers-Brooks
Premiered 11-30-2017, Brillo Box, Pittsburgh, PA.
Audio
Additional performances:
03-23-2018 at The Aesthetic Parlor, Pittsburgh, PA.
Turtles All The Way Up (2017) for violin, viola, cello, double bass, and live electronics. 12'
Premier: 06-12-2017, New Music On The Point, VT.
Performed by Haley Gillia - violin, John Pickford Richards - viola, Dustin Seo - cello, Robin Rhodes - bass, Brian Riordan - live electronics.
Audio
The First Wave (2017) for bass clarinet, bassoon, bari sax, and live electronics. 10'
Commissioned for University of Pittsburgh Physics and Astronomy Department Artist in Residency Program
Premier: 04-04-2017 at Frick Fine Arts Auditorium, Pittsburgh, PA.
Performed by Emily Cook - bass clarinet, Devon Tipp - Bassoon, Ben Barson - bari sax, Brian Riordan - live electronics
Audio, Video
VOID 2 (2017) 22'
Alternate version of "VOID" for soprano, contrabass flute, english horn, bass clarinet, violin, cello, and electronics
Premiered 03-19-2017 at Polanzo's in Pittsburgh, PA
Commissioned and performed by Kamraton:
Anna Elder - soprano, Sarah Alice Steranka - contrabass flute, Kaylyn Shearer - english horn, Emily Cook - bass clarinet, Jennifer Sternick - violin, Cecilia Orazi - cello, and Brian Riordan - live processing
They were playing spy music at the airport (2017) for piano and electronics (one performer), 8'
Premier: 03-17-2017 at Frick Fine Arts Auditorium, Pittsburgh, PA.
Commissioned and Performed by Keith Kirchoff for the C:ompiler concert series
куда (2017) for voice and electronics (two performers), 12'
Premier: 03-10-2017 at NSEME at LSU 2017
Commissioned by Sonya Belaya
voice - Sonya Belaya, electronics - Brian Riordan
Audio
Piano Trio (2017) for violin, cello, and piano. 4'
03-05-2017 at Bellefield Hall, University of Pittsburgh, PA
Performed by Fidelio Trio
Absolute Zero (2017) for piano, theremin, and electronics (two performers), 20'
Premier: 02-17-2017 Pittsburgh, PA
Commissioned by Dubravka Bencic
piano, theremin - Irene Monteverdi, electronics - Brian Riordan
Audio
Wingdings (2017) for voice, violin, and double bass
Premier: 01-13-2017 at Frick Fine Arts Auditorium, Pittsburgh, PA
Commissioned and Performed by Wolftrap for the C:ompiler concert series
Anna Elder - voice, Kathleen Andrews McMasters - Violin, Ryan McMasters - Bass
Audio
VOID (2016) for contrabass flute, english horn, bass clarinet, violin, double bass, and electronics, 22'
Premier: 12-01-2016 at The Irma Freeman Center for Imagination, Pittsburgh, PA
Commissioned and performed by Kamraton
Sarah Alice Steranka - contrabass flute, Kaylyn Shearer - english horn, Emily Cook - bass clarinet, Jennifer Sternick - violin, Jeff Weston - double bass, and Brian Riordan - live processing
Audio
"while the earth is still turning" (2016) for piano and electronics (one performer), 9'
Premier: 10-15-2016 Frick Fine Arts Auditorium, Pittsburgh, PA
Commissioned and performed by Sonya Belaya for the C:ompiler concert series
Audio, Video
additional performances:
01-21-2017 in Detroit, MI
03-10-2017 at NSEME at Louisiana State University
06-27-2017 at Splendor in Amsterdam, Netherlands
07-11-2017 at Hotel Oasi Neumann, Cortona Sessions, Cortona, Italy
Aphantasia (2016) for flute and live electronics (one performer), 6'
Premier: 07-02-2016 by Anne Daley for SPLICE Institute 2016 (Summer institute for Performance, Listening, Interpretation, and Creation of Electroacoustic music)
Audio
additional Performances:
11-29-2016 by Jesse Nucho
03-04-2017 by Zoe Sorrell
Tetrachromacy (2016) for flute, tenor sax, violin, cello, 7'
Premier: 06-18-2016 at The New Music On The Point 2016 Festival
Performed by Wesley Leng Wai Wong - flute, Sean Fredenburg - tenor sax, Lane Champa - violin, Kevin McFarland - Cello, and Brian Riordan - live processing
Audio
Better Living Through Electricity (2016) for bass clarinet and live electronics (one performer), 13'
Premier: 04-10-2016 Frick Fine Arts Auditorium, Pittsburgh, PA
Commissioned and performed by Chuck Furlong for the C:ompiler concert series
Audio
additional performances:
01-27-2017 in Boston, MA. at Boston Conservatory.
03-11-2018 at Ogie's Trailer Park in Providence, RI.
The Moon Is Drifting From The Earth, Don't Think About It (2016) for flute, clarinet, violin, viola, and cello, 7'
Premiered by Ensemble Linea: 04-02-2016, Bellefield Hall, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
Audio, Video
Additional performances:
03-11-2017 at Kelly Strayhorn Theater in Pittsburgh, PA.
Performed by Nat 28 for 2016 Call for Scores
04-08-2017
SCI Division III, West Virginia University Composers Conference
Performed by WVU New Music Ensemble, Morgantown, WV.
03-25-2019
Performed by WVU New Music Ensemble, Morgantown, WV.
Atonia (2016) for 2 Bb trumpets, tenor trombone, and bass trombone, 7'
Premier: 01-21-2016, Heinz Memorial Chapel, Pittsburgh, PA
Performed by OvreArts
Audio
Additional performance:
Version for Brass Quintet performed on 11-17-2018 at 1106 Reedsdale, Pittsburgh, PA.
For Magnificent Soul a Collaborative Concert
Performed by Kate Guy - trumpet, Brian Kelley - tuba, Austin Sposato - horn, Adam Gillespie - trumpet, and Julia Dennis - trombone
Dark Was The Night (2015) for mezzo soprano and live electronics (2 performers), 6'
Premier: 12-15-2015, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
Performed by Anna Elder and Brian Riordan
Audio
Slow Danger (2015) for flute, tenor sax, and violin, 5'
Premier: 06-17-2015, Louise Shonk Kelly Recital Hall, Dublin School, Dublin, NH
Performed by Erin Lesser, Alex Mincek, and Joshua Modney of The Wet Ink Ensemble
Audio
K. (2015) for bass clarinet, piano, violin, and viola, 8'
Premier: 06-12-2015, Town Hall Theater, Middlebury, VT
Performed by, Chuck Furlong, Sonya Belaya, Kathleen Andrews McMasters, Sam Kelder
Audio, Video
additional performances:
SICPP 2016 at New England Conservatory in Boston, Ma. 06-24-2016 in Jordan Hall.
10-19-2017 at Bellefield Hall, University of Pittsburgh by Alia Musica
10-24-2017 at WVU Creative Arts Center, West Virginia University by Alia Musica
01-20-2018 at at Kelly Strayhorn Theater in Pittsburgh, PA.
Performed by Nat 28 for 2017 Call for Scores
version for bass clarinet, piano, violin, and cello, 8'
performed on 02-19-2016, Columbus State University (Georgia)
and 05-26-2016, Stephen Foster Memorial (University of Pittsburgh)
by Alia Musica
Laniakea (2015) for pipa, horn in f, double bass, prepared piano, and laptop, 20'
Premier: 03-29-2015, Bellefield Hall, The University of Pittsburgh, PA
Performed by Lu-Han Li, Matt Aelmore, Jeff Weston, Jonghee Kang, and Brian Riordan
Audio, Video
Hive Collapse (2014) for Brass Quintet, 7'
A reading session by The Meridian Arts Ensemble
Premiere: 10-04-2014, Bellefield Hall, The University of Pittsburgh, PA
Audio
Additional performance: OvreArts, 04-21-2016, Heinz Memorial Chapel, Pittsburgh, PA
The Owls are Not What They Seem (2014) for string quartet, 3’
A reading session performance by The JACK quartet
Premier: 03-02-2014, Bellefield Hall, The University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa
Audio
Tin Foil Hat Revelations (2014) for saxophone quartet, 3’
Premier: 01-11-2014, Bellefield Hall, The University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa
Performed by The H2 Quartet
Audio
Breakfast of Champions (2013) for piano, 10’
Premier: 09-01-2013, Koten Chapel, Naperville IL
Performed by Joann Cho
Audio
ETS V (2013) for live electronics
Premier: 04-10-2012, North Central College Fine Arts Building, Naperville IL,
Commissioned for The Explore The Sound V concert installation
Performed by Brian Riordan
The Five and a Half Minute Hallway (2012) 4 track tape, 5’30”
Audio
Somewhere On The Spectrum (2012) for alto flute, 8’
Premier: 05-27-2012, Madden Theater, Naperville IL, Senior Capstone Composition Project.
Performed by Michael Lockler
Audio, Video
‘you probably won’t like this’ (2012) for four or more instruments
Premier: 05-27-2012, Madden Theater, Naperville IL, Senior Capstone Composition Project.
Performed by Brian Riordan, Peter Mack, Taylor Martin, Mathew Miller, Stewart Ream, Tia Johnson, Lucas Steidinger, Michael Schwartz, Kateri Tumminello
Video
Additional Performance: 06-02-2012. Wentz Concert Hall,
North Central College Fine Arts Building, Naperville, IL.
Hazing Egos (2012) for laptop and voice, 7’
Premier: 05-27-2012, Madden Theater, Naperville IL, Senior Capstone Composition Project.
Performed by Brian Riordan, Alyssa Allgood
Video
Music for Lobbies (2012) for live electronics
Premier: 02-22-2012, North Central College Fine Arts Building, Naperville IL, Explore The Sound IV pre concert installation
Performed by Brian Riordan
Audio, Video
Additional Performance: 06-02-2012. Wentz Concert Hall,
North Central College Fine Arts Building, Naperville, IL.
Dark Flow (2011) for violin, harp, and laptop 15’
Premier: 05-27-2012, Madden Theater, Naperville IL, Senior Capstone Composition Project
Performed by Brian Riordan, Tia Johnson, Jacob Johnson
Audio, Video
Dequervains (2011) for amplified tenor, amplified bass clarinet, and amplified prepared piano 9’
Premier: 05-27-2012, Madden Theater, Naperville IL, Senior Capstone Composition Project
Performed by Taylor Martin, Phillip Carter, Brian Riordan
Audio
The Aleph (2011) for vibraphone, glockenspiel, and laptop (One Player), 10’
Premier: 05-02-2011, Wentz Concert Hall, Naperville, IL. Student Composer Showcase, NCC
Performed by Brian Riordan
Video
Additional Performance: 05-27-2012, Madden Theater, Naperville IL.
etude1 (2010) 2 track tape, 1’08”
Audio
Jazz/Other/Arrangements:
Fear of The South (2012) Arrangement of Mark Orton's "Fear of The South"
Promise of a Fisherman (2012) Arrangement of Sergio Mendez's "Promise of a Fisherman"
Blue In Green (2012) Arrangement of Bill Evans' "Blue in Green"
Nocturnal (2012) Arrangement of Chopin's Nocturne Op 9, No 2
Indian Lady (2012) Co-Arranged (Indian Percussion Section) of Don Ellis's "Indian Lady"
Meshav (2011) Arrangement of John Zorn's "Meshav"
Black Narcissus/Footprints (2011) Mashup Arrangement of Joe Henderson's "Black Narcissus" and Wayne Shorter's "Footprints"
Filmworks:
How Things Are Made with Li-han Li (2020) a video composition by Lu-han Li in collaboration with How Things Are Made
Drowning Shadows (2019) Film by JudyXSYD. Soundtrack by How Things Are Made
Wild Human (2019) Film by David Bernabo. Features "Pipe Organs" by How Things Are Made with Emily Cook
Helene's Story (2017) Film by Tatiana Istomina. Soundtrack by Arborance (Brian Riordan & Susan Kuo)
Death and Delivery (2005) Film by Christopher Burns
Oh my ears
SEAMUS
Cleveland Uncommon Sound Project
Splice
SICPP